Freediving Safety Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for use in the activity of freediving, providing the freediver with increased safety and protection in the event of Shallow Water Blackout, incapacitating hypoxia, or other emergency occurring in or under the water, while providing greater reliability of functioning, and comfort of wearing during the activity of freediving.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention generally relates to life-saving equipment used by swimmers and underwater breath-hold divers and, more particularly, to devices and apparatus for use by freedivers* to aid in returning them to the surface and / or maintaining them at the surface in the event of their losing consciousness due to hypoxia, a phenomenon often referred to among freedivers as “Shallow Water Blackout” (SWB). Without some form of rapid and immediate rescue effort, Shallow Water Blackout usually results in death. (*Freedivers are those individuals who venture underwater while holding their breath, and must therefore return to the surface to breathe.)[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Every year well-trained freedivers, who know the risks of Shallow Water Blackout (SWB), die at an alarming and almost predictable rate. All divers know to jettison their weight belts in an emergency situation. Yet, despite this knowled...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]The proposed freediving safety apparatus of the present invention provides the freediver with a customized emergency flotation device that will automatically inflate under a number of life-threatening circumstances. If the freediver stays down beyond his personal limit, or descends to an unsafe depth, the device will inflate and quickly return him to the surface in a face up position. If the freediver decides to manually activate the device, presumably in an emergency situation, he may easily do so. The freediver may not deactivate the apparatus unless he is at or near the surface.

[0059]In order to prevent difficulties resulting from multiple users diving together, and the risk of miscommunication among their safety apparatus, a system of serial numbers, multiple communication frequencies, and “handshaking” recognition protocols may be incorporated. Similarly, to provide for upgrades or replacement of individual components, the apparatus is able to perform a registration process, in order that a particular remote control unit may establish recognition with a particular actuator portion.

Problems solved by technology

The flaws described above and other deficiencies inherent in previous attempts to reduce the danger of Shallow Water Blackout, combined with the fact that freedivers have, so far, refused to adopt any of the products that have been introduced, has led to the development of this unique and revolutionary device.

The wearer can move through the water unhindered by, and possibly even unaware of its presence.

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